Entitled as the World’s Best Airport is one thing. But to get the same award for consecutive years—seven times, to be precise—is an incredible achievement for Changi Airport. The home to Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Scoot, and JetStar is not even slowing down its’ expansion in the past few years. One can see it through the opening of Jewel Changi Airport, a place for about 280 shops and restaurants as well as leisure facilities, on April 17 last year.
So what actually makes this airport as the best—not just once or twice, but seven times?
According to Straits Times, the airport was awarded as the best due to its leisure amenities. The award itself was done by Skytrax, a London-based research firm, through a survey from passengers who flew to the airport. Some of the questions asked were the rate for the airport’s services of check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security, and immigration through to departure at the gate. As the result, Changi won it all.
One traveler even summarized ten reasons why Changi is worthy for the title. Some of it, which I find interesting enough, are:
- Free cinema
Nope, you’re not reading it wrong. This spot can be found in Terminal 2 and 3, and are open for all passengers—let alone to those who have just landed from a long haul flight and are waiting for the next leg. You can find the Cinema in Departure Transit Lounge on the third floor of Terminal 2, just beside the Sunflower Garden and Near Ambassador Transit Lounge North on the third floor of Terminal 3.
- Free entertainment deck: LAN Gaming Room, PS3, Xbox, MTV Booth
A layover in Changi is not a turmoil for parents with kids, thanks to this service. Yep, boys (especially) and girls would be happy to encounter such place while waiting for their next flight to somewhere else. This place is not far from the Cinema, as it is located in the Departure Transit Lounge.
- Free massages
Not in the lounges, but massage chairs in the hall! Anyone—who is just landed, who is waiting for next flight, or who is for a stopover—can use this thing. One traveler suggested to bring socks before getting on the massage chair. This service can be found all over the airport, in the departure halls, outside the Departure gates.
All in all, it is spot-on to mark Changi as the best. Its leisure amenities are indeed the things that keep them skyrocketed. Though, it’s also safe to say that services from the staffs give a high influence to the award. It is surely a great place to transit when you decide to go abroad, like for when you go to a concert alone.